How do I make threaded Screw Holes ? (please read)

[Diablo2K]

Ok, the holes in the case that are used for motherboard Standoffs and such aren't just drilled and tapped, they are more 3 deminsional in shape which gives you more threads and will hold a sscrew better. I was wanting to do a mod where it would be helpful to make these type of holes, otherwise I would have to use nuts and bolts. I thought about useing a icepick shaped punch to make the holes but it would be hard to do without distorting everything around the hole.
Any ideas?

 

[JL_Audio_User]

A tap and die set. About $50 and you can thread your own screws and holes

 

[Dregan]

I think he's talking about metal that has a build up or pressed shape before the threads. If you can get it to work with a pick or nail, let us know. I would use a small nail with soft wood underneath the metal, then tap it. But since I've never done it or heard of it done without a die-machine, try it at your own risk.

 

[Seer]

It's either that or self-tapping screws

 

[Punx_Clever]

The punch idea should work fairly well. I've heard of it being done on car oil-pans when you needed a return line for oil on turbos and superchargers... My suggestion would be to test it on a junk peice (if possilbe) beforehand.

 

[jnex26]

I'm still trying to figure out what exactly he wants to do here. do you want to put in a block that can be screwed into like a solid MB stand off or do you just want to enlarge your current stand offs or create new ones.

for new ones, Just get the Copper standoffs and drill your own hole then using a punch and restrictor - This is usally a peice of alu with a hole the right size cut into it. (Needs to be about the thread size that you need) then run the punch though making the alu "crown" on the other side. Then Run a Tap though it, Never use Self tapping screws, They invaribly make very bad threads that strip easily.


To enlarge a stand off is not easy, what you need to do is this. Remove the current thread.. so the metals smooth on the underside of the stand off/Mainboard. then using a punch and restrictor - This is usally a peice of alu with a hole the right size cut into it. (Needs to be about the thread size that you need) then run the punch though making the alu "crown" on the other side. Then Run a Tap though it

Block is easy, Drill your hold and Tap it. where ever you need a hole.

Either Way your GOING to need a tap and die set, Any metal work to be done properly needs a tap and die set (Tig welder, Lathe and mill helps aswell)

 

[Diablo2K]

Ok, I will try to explain a little bettter.

If I drilled the hole and tapped it, I would have about 1mm of thread, which is the thickness of the metal.

if you look at the holes that the motherboard standoffs fit into, you will notice that on the underside of the tray that the metal hasn't been drilled and tapped, the matal has been shaped so that you get alot more threads.
Instead of ______ ______
you have a hole shaped like _______| |________ which makes for a stronger connection.

I was thinking that if I made the hole with something like an Icepick it would stretch the metal enough to do the same thing as the second illistration.
If you are still unsure what I am talking bout, Look at the underside of your motherboard tray, you will see the holes haven't been drilled and tapped, they have been pressed into a sorta cone shape and then tapped.

What I am thinking bout doing is cutting out the fan area on my Chieftec case, makeing a replacement panel that is screwed into place. I dont like the clip on fn mounts and would like to use normal fan screws to mount the fans, this is in preparation for a watercooling system, I dont trust the plastic fanmounts to hold 2 fans and a radiator, all this hanging over a $400 Video card.

 

[Timmee]

I'm still trying to figure out what exactly he wants to do here. do you want to put in a block that can be screwed into like a solid MB stand off or do you just want to enlarge your current stand offs or create new ones.

for new ones, Just get the Copper standoffs and drill your own hole then using a punch and restrictor - This is usally a peice of alu with a hole the right size cut into it. (Needs to be about the thread size that you need) then run the punch though making the alu "crown" on the other side. Then Run a Tap though it, Never use Self tapping screws, They invaribly make very bad threads that strip easily.


To enlarge a stand off is not easy, what you need to do is this. Remove the current thread.. so the metals smooth on the underside of the stand off/Mainboard. then using a punch and restrictor - This is usally a peice of alu with a hole the right size cut into it. (Needs to be about the thread size that you need) then run the punch though making the alu "crown" on the other side. Then Run a Tap though it

Block is easy, Drill your hold and Tap it. where ever you need a hole.

Either Way your GOING to need a tap and die set, Any metal work to be done properly needs a tap and die set (Tig welder, Lathe and mill helps aswell)

Is this what you're referring to? http://www.docsmachine.com/snapshots/2009.jpg

*pic found on this thread: http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=9013&messageid=1118476862

 

[macncheese]

When the MB tray is made, they punch the holes for the standoffs but instead of having a round slug of metal fall out, they allow the metal to stretch and be pulled down. The inward portion allows additional threads to be formed compared to a perforating punch. You'll have a hard time replicating that accurately. I'd suggest you go with a threaded insert (nutsert, rivnut).

--
Cheese

 

[jnex26]

Is this what you're referring to? http://www.docsmachine.com/snapshots/2009.jpg

*pic found on this thread: http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=9013&messageid=1118476862

Exactly, I've machined a few of them up in the past... But Getting the hole right is still a art form that I have not quite perfected. personally I would get some thin T6 Alu and start playing with it. making loads of different hole and punching and tapping them.

As for the nut Idea, you can solder a nut to the MB tray That Is possible (Not easy tho) Personally I would probably get the welder out to puta larger nut in then Heli-coil the thread.

 

[marked]

nut insert, rivet nut, jack nut, press nut, well nut

Do it better by useing those types of nuts.

 

[HTPC Rookie]

Make your dents from the backside. Fill them with JB Weld, let dry. From the front, drill thru the sheet metal and the JB. Then tap it with whatever size / thread you need for the standoffs.

Probably the 10th time I've mentioned JB Weld on the [H] forum. Just love that stuff for lightweight metal modification.

 

[Lt. Dan]

Allright, here goes. There is a special punch made to do what you are asking about. It looks like a regular center puch except that it has a ring of metal about 3/8 of an inch from the point. I don't know if it is available in 6/32 size or not. What it does, it punches a hole in thin sheet metal and the ring acts as a cone to push the metal throught the hole and the result is a small cone of metal that will support threads. What I have done in the past is mount the Mboard and for the hole that have no threaded stand-off position mark that area through the mboard and drill the hole to clear a threaded standoff and then from the back side put a nut on the standoff. That is way easier than forming and threading. I'll try to find a link for that sheatmetal punch.

 

[Techx]

nevermind

 

[Dregan]

Here ya go!

Creating Threads In Aluminum

Took me a while to find, hope it helps.